With the winter session starting on Nov 22, Parliament is facing a burden of over 100 pending bills with successive sessions failing to transact much legislative business. Among these pending bills include Lokpal, land acquisition, whistle-blowers, money-laundering, companies, banking and forward contracts regulation.

A total of 102 bills were pending with Parliament at the end of the monsoon session.

According to reports, an all-party select committee on the Lokpal Bill has endorsed a draft which allows the prosecution of the prime minister by the Lokpal, clearing the way for the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2011.

The draft which witnessed no dissent notes but 'suggestion notes' by Opposition leaders also has substantive recommendations on the role of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The tenures for both director of CBI and director prosecution would also be fixed, according to the draft bill.

It may be noted that CBI's role was the major stumbling block to the bill and it took several days of negotiation to hammer out an acceptable form.

The draft has reportedly suggested that CBI remain under the control of the Department of Personnel and Training but the pogress in cases under CBI, as referred to by Lokpal would be supervised by the Lokpal.

Besides, the setting up of Lokayuktas in states was another bone of contention. The government has reportedly given into the Opposition's demand that states would be free to either follow a model act cleared by the Centre or come up with their own acts.

A proposed eight-member body of Lokpal also has to pass through deep thinking, as some political parties sought the representation of SC/STs, OBCs, women and minorities in the watchdog.

However, the composition of the Lokpal selection committee, which was earlier said to comprise the PM, Leader of the Opposition, the Speaker and the Chief Justice of India is stated to have favoured the government stand.

The panel has reportedly suggested the addition of an eminent jurist, suggested by the other members of the selection committee as the fifth member.